In a dramatic escalation of tensions in Los Angeles, President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of nearly 5,000 troops, including National Guard and Marines, to the city amid ongoing protests against intensified immigration raids. California Governor Gavin Newsom harshly criticized the Trump administration’s removal of the regulations just days before the announcement. He charged the administration with “a military dragnet” sweep across Los Angeles.
In response to the recent unrest, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass quickly issued a curfew for the downtown area. This decision follows days of intense protest. A curfew was imposed from 8 p.m. local time on Tuesday through 6 a.m. on Wednesday. This ban impacted a full one-square-mile area that included most of downtown Los Angeles. Anti-migrant government policies have incited grassroots anger and activism, and protests against the government’s response to immigration issues rage across the country. Cities such as New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Omaha, and Seattle are experiencing these civil disobedience demonstrations.
Within a short time as the curfew went into effect, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced they had made “mass arrests” in downtown LA. Mayor Bass condemned the troop deployment, claiming that Trump’s militarization of the city would not improve safety.
“Going after families and children does not make Los Angeles more safe,” – Karen Bass
At the time, democracy was “under assault before our eyes,” Newsom said, as he condemned the federal military presence. His view was that this was an inappropriate use of military force over citizens peacefully protesting. The governor’s remarks underscored the growing concern among state leaders regarding Trump’s approach to handling civil unrest.
In defense of the protests, Trump claimed that protesters were carrying foreign flags. He classified this demonstration as a “foreign invasion.” He declared his intention to “liberate Los Angeles and make it free, clean, and safe again,” framing the deployment of military resources as a necessary measure to restore order.
The LAPD’s mass arrests during the curfew highlighted the city’s chaotic atmosphere. Many residents voiced their anger at the sudden, harsh actions by local and federal governments. As the curfew hour came and went, Metro hastily canceled multiple transit connections across downtown Los Angeles. This added additional obstacles for residents seeking to get around and experience their community.
Despite calls for restraint, a federal district court judge declined California’s request for an immediate temporary restraining order that would limit the military’s activities to guarding federal buildings only. Despite this, Thursday, the state has a hearing set to continue taking up the state’s concerns.
Mayor Bass criticized the federal government’s handling of immigration enforcement, noting that claims of targeting violent criminals were not reflected in practice.
“The Trump administration told us they were going after violent criminals, gang members, and drug dealers. But they went after a Home Depot,” – Karen Bass
She expressed disbelief at the lack of awareness from city officials regarding the lives of residents in downtown Los Angeles.
“This was executed horribly. It seems like the mayor and city council aren’t aware that there are people who live downtown,” – Karen Bass
As protests continue to unfold in response to federal policies and actions, concerns about civil liberties and community safety remain at the forefront of public discourse. The military’s unprecedented deployment as civil unrest unfolded raises some key questions. It pushes us to interrogate the nature of governance and the function of law enforcement in democratic societies.